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Human Research Review Section

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We have migrated to a new webpage with a new address, so please bookmark this page. While we have tested all of our links, if you have problems opening forms or finding information on our new site, please contact us.

The WSIRB will be implementing charges for its review services, effective September 1, 2015. Review will not be conducted unless charges are paid in full in advance. Fees will be charged for funded research. Additional information and a fee schedule will be posted on this website in the near future.

The WSIRB is moving to a Web-based electronic protocol management system, CyberIRB®. With CyberIRB® research staff will be able to submit and track their WSIRB submissions entirely online. Interface and review forms will employ business logic to reduce time completing forms.

If you are required to submit a Continuation Approval Request, you must submit your request online through CyberIRB®. Prior to your submission deadline, you will receive an e-mail notice with instructions, your CyberIRB® username and password, and a link to the online submissions system.

All other submissions will be accepted by e-mail until further notice.

Washington State Institutional Review Board

Washington State IRB, April 2014 - Note: not all members are pictured

The WSIRB is a designated institutional review board (IRB) for a number of different Washington state agencies, including the Washington State Departments of Early Learning (DEL), Health (DOH), Social and Health Services (DSHS), Health Care Authority (HCA) and Labor & Industries (L&I). The WSIRB also serves as a designated IRB for other local & state agencies and research institutions. As an IRB serving the above entities, the WSIRB is responsible for providing the requisite regulatory review, approval and oversight of research that may involve these state agencies’ clients, beneficiaries, patients, wards and state agency employees or these individuals’ state agency personal records, in order to ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects of research.

WSIRB members are drawn from among the agencies served as well as other institutions and entities. Our members provide the WSIRB with a breadth and depth of diverse but highly relevant scientific, disciplinary and professional background, perspective, expertise and experience. The appropriate discharge of its review and oversight responsibilities and the WSIRB’s diversity and expertise is required in accordance with both federal and state laws, and under the Federalwide Assurance (FWA) legal agreements that each of these agencies and institutions have entered into with the Office for Human Research Protections of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a condition of applying for and receiving federal support of their research. HRRS in the Department of Social and Health Services provides the regulatory required administrative, professional and technical support for the WSIRB, including serving as members of the WSIRB. Support for the WSIRB and HRRS is provided by other state agencies, which includes designating and appointing agency staff to serve as WSIRB members.